Lyrics for singles by Procul Harum

We skipped the light fandango
And turned cartwheels cross the floor
I was feeling kind of seasick
But the crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said "There is no reason
And the truth is plain to see"
But I wandered through my playing cards
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might just as well have been closed
[chorus]
[third verse, occasionally sung in concert]
She said she wanted shore leave
Though in truth we were at sea
So I took her by a looking glass
And forced her to agree
Saying you must be the mermaid
Who took Neptune for a ride
Well she smiled at me so sadly
That my anger straightway died
[chorus]
[fourth verse, rarely sung in concert]
[chorus]

Conquistador, your stallion stands
In need of company
And like some angel's haloed brow
You reek of purity
I see your armor-plated breast
Has long since lost its sheen
And in your death-masked face
There are no signs which can be seen
And though I hope for something to find
I can see no place to unwind
Conquistador, a vulture sits
Upon your silver shield
And in your rusty scabbard now
The sand has taken seed
And though your jewel-encrusted blade
Has not been plundered still
The sea has washed across your face
And taken of its fill
[chorus]
Conquistador, there is no time
I must pay my respects
And though I came to jeer at you
I leave now with regrets
And as the gloom begins to fall
I see there is no, only all
And though you came with sword held high
You did not conquer, only die
[chorus]
[chorus]